At around £850, the Panasonic HDC-TM700 probably sits some way outside the fiscal comfort zone of most potential buyers. For enthusiasts, however, it boasts an enviable array of the latest must-have features, not least of which are its 1080/50p high-definition video and 14.2-mexapixel stills. So, is it worth the asking price?
Get progressive
If there's one thing missing from many so-called 'Full HD' camcorders, it's proper, progressive, 1080p-recording capability. We're just now starting to see it creep in at the high end, and the HDC-TM700 is one of three new Panasonic camcorders that offer it. Previous flagship models, such as last year's HDC-TM300, have included a 25-frames-per-second, progressive 'digital cinema' mode, but this was usually little more than a gimmick. The big difference here is that the HDC-TM700 can record full, progressive 1080-line frames at a smooth rate of 50 frames per second, which is close to professional standards.
The HDC-TM700 can also record in a range of different 1080i modes but, unlike these, the 1080/50p setting is selected via its own stand-alone button on the side of the unit, rather than through the image-quality menu. Recording AVCHD files in this mode also eats up storage space like there's no tomorrow, so, thankfully, the HDC-TM700 has plenty of options in that regard. For starters, there's 32GB of internal memory to work with. The SD, SDHC and SDXC-compatible memory-card slot can handle up to 64GB of further storage and the camcorder will automatically switch from internal to external memory as you record, should you run out of space at an inconvenient juncture.
Image-recording duties are handled by three relatively large (1/4.1-inch) CMOS sensors, each with a 3.05-megapixel resolution. Combined, these sensors provide the means to capture extremely high-resolution photos, as well as HD movies. The still pictures aren't bad-looking either, thanks, in part, to the 35mm wide-angle Leica Dicomar lens and its 12x optical zoom, although you probably won't want to put your digital SLR on eBay just yet.
As you may have already ascertained, the HDC-TM700 is pitched directly at video enthusiasts, rather than casual point-and-shooters, and this is reflected in the camcorder's selection of manual controls. In manual mode, key settings such as focus, white balance, shutter speed and aperture can all be controlled via either the touch-sensitive screen or the 'camera function' button and the lens ring, which also doubles up as a manual zoom ring.
An external microphone input, colour viewfinder, accessory shoe (placed on the side so as not to interfere with the top-mounted, 5.1-channel surround-sound microphone) and a highly effective optical image stabiliser flesh out the HDC-TM700's prosumer credentials. While it's a shame that there's no A/V input, a full selection of analogue and digital output connections are available, including HDMI, USB and component/composite video.
If you do happen to shoot from the hip, then you'll find the auto functions are all very reliable. In particular, the programmable face-recognition feature is worth experimenting with. It's also worth mentioning that the HDC-TM700 is light, comfortable to operate and pleasantly, if soberly, designed.
Playback problems
We've noticed a tendency in some previous Panasonic camcorders to exaggerate strong colours, and this is something that the HDC-TM700 can also be guilty of, particularly with the progressive setting -- the 1080i modes seem to be less affected by this issue for some reason.
This isn't the only problem with shooting at 1080/50p, either. We found that the raw MTS files we had recorded in the progressive mode didn't always play back satisfactorily, depending on the equipment we used. Plug the camcorder directly into an HD-ready TV via HDMI, for example, and everything looks great, with crisp edges, smooth motion and zero glitches. Transfer the footage to play it on a PC or other compatible device, however, and you may well be treated to choppy playback and the appearance of strange artefacts.
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moe 4 July 2012
Bad: very low reliability compared to its high selling price
Comment: the camera went dead 5 months after the end of the warranty period.
it cost me a leg and an arm to fix it.
one advise : just keep away from TM700 Panasonic camcorder and look for other brands.
cobo04 15 January 2011
Good: Light, easy to use and sand proof.
Bad: Camera Function button is 'hidden' behind viewscreen hinge when open.
Comment: Can't see what the fuss is about for edting raw 1080/50p footage. I use Corel Videostudio X3, cost under £100 and does the job of capture and editing really well, along with the DVD Factory built in, outputs to most formats as well as DVD/Bluray disks.
View finder is a good addition, no point using a view screen in bright sunlight, also witha viewfinder, the camera is more stable as itis held to the eye with arms in a tripod postioon and with a max zoom of x700. This is needed !!
Not had any of the issues others have indicated of over colour and having working in video for just too many years I do know a thing or two about the subject..
capellma 16 August 2010
Good: Image quaility and ability to operate it manually
Bad: The position of the button to manually make the adjustments
Comment: I now used the camera (TM700) for one month and I'm impressed by the picture quality; although there is some lens flare when making pictures from the sun at dawn.
I do make a lot of use of the ablity to manually operate the camera. It provides me a little bit better picture quality since the IA in some case causes a little bit over exposure.
I made a lot of film in the 108050p mode and I do not recognize comments made on other forums abouth to bright colours.
Another thing about the 1080p50 is that it does not make a lot of sense if you want to play it back in BD format; since BD is either 1080i or 25p but no possibility to export it to double PAL. And..... it is difficult to find software that edit your pictures in native format.
If you want to play your movies in raw format without any menu's or things like that, than it make sense to record in 50p mode. In that case you have to use to HD writer software that came along with the camera.
My verdict is ;) It is a camera that without any limits apeals to your creativety and you will for sure enjoy the quality of the recordings.
Last-but-not-least: I do not see any neccesity to buy aditional memory card. When I go for holiday, I always bring my laptop with me, so in any case of running out of memory I will copy the movies to my hard-disk.....
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